Astros, RHP Borkowski agree to $800,000, 1-year deal

Published 6:00 pm, Monday, January 21, 2008

Relief pitcher Dave Borkowski and the Houston Astros agreed Tuesday to an $800,000, one-year contract that avoided an arbitration hearing.

The right-hander was 5-3 with a 5.15 ERA and one save in 64 appearances for the Astros last season, when he earned $600,000. He asked for $1.1 million when players and teams swapped figures Friday, and Houston offered $750,000.

In six seasons with the Tigers, Orioles and Astros, the 30-year-old Borkowski is 13-18 with a 5.68 ERA and one save. He can earn $50,000 in performance bonuses: $15,000 for 60 appearances or 70 innings, $15,000 for 65 appearances and $20,000 for 70 appearances.

The Astros still have two players in arbitration: closer Jose Valverde and infielder Mark Loretta.